June 2011
It’s that time of year again where our thoughts turn to hurricane season and more importantly hurricane preparedness. We have been extremely fortunate over the past several years having been spared from any real threat. That being said, emergency experts fear that we have become complacent. Let’s prove them wrong!
Before a storm threatens our area:
Stock up on food and water and any medications you require.
Plan an evacuation route/ have a shelter in mind. If you or a loved one has special needs, contact the Special Needs Coordinator at 561-712-6400 as advance reservations are required.
If you live in an evacuation zone, mobile/manufactured home, are physically handicapped, and have no other means of transportation, you can pre-register for transportation assistance with Palm Tran Connection 561-649-9838
Make arrangements in advance for your pet (The County has one pet friendly shelter but is only for pets and people living in mandatory evacuation zones or in mobile homes, preregistration is required. )
For More information contact animal care and control at
http://www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/animalcare/petshelter.htm
Assess your landscaping to determine if trees need to be trimmed or ornaments removed before a
storm. Once a watch or warning has been issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind.
Check to see if your community has a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
A CERT Team is a community based organization of residents who learn how to take emergency
response actions in safe ways until the professional emergency responders can respond. These
volunteers learn how to work in a coordinated manner caring for those citizens within their community affected by a disaster. The Division of Emergency Management has trained 180 CERT Team volunteers throughout Palm Beach County in disaster preparedness, disaster medical services, light urban search and rescue for trapped citizens, disaster communications, disaster psychology and terrorism.
In the aftermath of a major disaster such as a hurricane, emergency crews are quickly overwhelmed, causing delays of hours or even days. For these reasons, Palm Beach County Emergency Management offers the Community Emergency Response Team course. The basic course lasts for 4 weeks, with a total time commitment of 6 hours per week.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) additionally offers a program for teens. If you would like further information about CERT or if you would like to be considered for an available Palm Beach County CERT class, you may call 561-712-6400
For a detail list of County Services and a complete preparation checklist I invite you to visit
http://www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/resources/pdf/hurricane_guide[1].pdfPalm Beach County Emergency Operations Center hosted our annual Statewide Hurricane Exercise on
Monday May 23, 2011. This annual event provides County Staff the opportunity to coordinate, execute and evaluate the County’s Emergency Plans for full scale hurricane activation. By all accounts the exercise was a success. We’re ready are you?
If I can be of assistance or if you have any comments and/or suggestions you can reach me at
svana@pbcgov.org or at my office at 561-355-2203 or visit my website
http://pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district3
It’s a honor serving you!
Shelley Vana
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